-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Audi Crooks of Bishop Garrigan compete during the girls 1A Shot Put on Thursday inside Drake Stadium

DES MOINES — Audi Crooks made more history here Thursday at the opening day of the state track and field championships.

Crooks, who left her name on the state’s basketball history books, became the first Class 1A athlete to capture three straight shot put titles with a state-leading throw of 44-00.75. The future Iowa State Cyclone went unbeaten in the event at state, as her freshman season was canceled due to COVID.

Bedford’s Emily Baker was a distant second with a throw of 39-9.

“I was pretty optimistic coming in and not too nervous,” Crooks said. “It was definitely bittersweet knowing it was my last time, but I knew I wanted to win and leave my last mark in this stadium.”

Crooks took the lead on her first throw of the day at 40-10.75, improving on that with a toss of 43-4 on her second throw. In the finals, she had a third attempt land over 40 feet at 41-11, with her second of the flight landing her 53rd in the United States this year outdoors.

With nothing left to do but relax, Crooks had her fifth throw of over 40 feet on her final attempt at 41-4.75. She was just off from breaking her own personal record of 45-1.

“It was definitely good to get that kind of stabilization early on and just go to work from there,” Crooks said. “I was able to adjust and be confident with each throw. On the last one, I just wanted to attack the ring and be aggressive.

“It worked out in my favor.”

Crooks will seek a second discus title and second sweep of the throwing events on Friday when she concludes her Golden Bear career.

The shuttle hurdle relay of Emmi Bartolo, Zoe Montag, Reagan Murphy and Molly Joyce earned a spot in the finals, placing sixth in the prelims in 1:10.00. Joyce, the defending long jump champion, did not qualify for the finals in that event.

Justin Bauer was second in his heat and 12th overall in the 400, clocking a PR with a time of 51.54. Abbie Capesius finished 13th in the 400, winning the opening heat in a time of 1:00.78 to set a PR.

Cal Birkey did not advance out of the prelims in the 100 or 200 for the Golden Bears, as he was 15th in the 100 (11.63) and 21st in the 200 (23.44).